No one wants to deal with the fallout of a cyberattack or stolen identity. Don’t get complacent, prioritize your home cybersecurity.
When large companies are hacked, it becomes national news, but bad actors aren’t just targeting big fish (and no we aren’t talking about Wholey’s Fish Market). With home and personal cybersecurity, the risks come in many forms:
- Phishing: Tricks you into revealing personal information, leading to credit card and identity theft
- Malware or ransomware: Software that steals and/or locks your data, often demanding payment to unlock. Unfortunately, it’s not guaranteed to be returned to you even if you pay, and it frequently isn’t.
- Account hacking: Gaining access to your personal accounts of anything from banking to social media, to impersonate you or commit financial fraud.
- Smart device hacking: Bad actors target your Internet-connected home devices to control them or spy on you.
With all of those risks, let’s dive into some of the most common myths about home cybersecurity.
Myth 1: “All you need is good antivirus software”
Truth: Antivirus is an essential tool in your security kit, but, like its name implies (or says directly), it only protects against viruses and software-based threats. It doesn’t protect against phishing or other forms of social engineering. Social engineering is a nicer way to say ‘human error’. Often, we are tricked into revealing personal information by clever, convincing prompts.
Myth 2: “Strong passwords are enough to stay safe”
Truth: Even strong passwords are only one layer of security. Use a password manager and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible. In our last blog, we gave the Green Light to password managers. When it comes to passwords, you often face a dilemma: choose a simple one that’s easy to remember but vulnerable to hackers, or create a complex one that’s secure but hard to recall, especially for websites you rarely visit. Password managers provide the dual benefit of creating difficult passwords and storing them for you.
Multi-factor authentication is another way to ensure that only the people you want have access to your accounts. It requires you to verify your identity using two or more separate inputs, usually a password, and then a code, app approval, or fingerprint. Like having a door lock and a deadbolt on your front door, if one security point is compromised, your account stays protected.
Myth 3: “More connected devices automatically make your home smarter”
Truth: Just because something can connect doesn’t mean it needs to. While we love all forms of inventive and exciting technology, our rule is “When in doubt, say no.” It is cool that you can control your toaster from your phone or whatever. Still, it’s important to remember that every Wi-Fi-connected device is a new gateway, opening your home and your data up to vulnerability. Cybercriminals can exploit weak passwords, outdated software, or unsecured networks to access your data, spy on activity, or even take control of devices.
Myth 4: “I don’t have a computer, so I can’t be hacked”
Truth: Cybersecurity risks live on the internet, not in the type of device you use to get online. Many people forget the risks when using a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. But it’s important to remember that any connected device with an operating system can be exploited if it’s not secured. Hackers target vulnerabilities, not desktops specifically, so it’s crucial to protect every device that touches your network.
Don’t leave your devices and data vulnerable. Make the switch to Green Light and surf safely.